It's PC's opportunity to show that we can win on the road (again) as we face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane under Tuesday Night Lights. City have been much improved since the Belgian's arrival, and with Sargent finding the net after what felt like donkeys of years, it is now a chance for our defence to demonstrate why they are so called. Come on City, up the league we go! OTBC
Spot on China. It's strange that Manning's first priority was the defence, whereas Clement has transformed the attack. I can't see him letting defensive lapses go on long though. Once we can achieve that balance we should start climbing.
Sheffield Utd have won their last 4 games scoring 13 goals in the process. I understand that Darling is suspended and Duffy likely to start - whatever is there to worry about?
Squad Update after the Press Conference Possibly returning: (CB) Shane Duffy - Missed Saturdays game with a slight muscle injury, PC thinks he will return but may struggle to see out the 90. (RB) Jack Stacey - Wasn't mentioned today but was mooted as being available for this game last week. (LB) Ben Chrisene - Back in training and could make the bench - not ready to start (CM) Anis Ben Slimane - Available from the bench Out: (CB) Harry Darling - Suspended after 5 yellows - 1 game - available for Saturday (CM) Liam Gibbs - hamstring injury - back in training - may be available Saturday (CB) Jose Cordoba - Hamstring injury - back in training - may be available Saturday (LW/CAM) Elliott Myles - back in training (CAM) Gabe Forsyth - should be back in training (LB) Jeffrey Schlupp - Hamstring injury - 2 weeks (LB) Lucien Mahovo - Muscle injury - suffered a set back, no return imminent (LW) Papa Amadou Diallo - Quad injury and surgery required - 4 weeks (RW/ST) Ante Crnac - Ruptured ACL - Season over (CM) Mirko Topic - ACL - Season Over
Excellent news. That's 5 players back in training after injury, reducing the injury list to 4 players after Saturday (setbacks allowing). Here's WhoScored's preview:
That above says they are defensively better than us, but we are better offensively. I am guessing that Springett will not be LB for this if Stacey is fit.
our shots on target marginally higher, but points dropped from a winning position (15 for us) is dire. Sheff are 9 points and 5 places above us though... Image from the BBC
Just goes to show what a complete waste of space these stats are. Sheff Utd have scored 13 goals in the last 4 games yet we are better offensively. I am sure there are stats proving that the earth is flat!! Talking of waste of space - isn't Knapper driven by stats?
The stats apply to the whole season. The Blades lost all of their first 7 games and 3 in a row before their current 5 game unbeaten run. When comparing teams, goal difference is a useful measure. Theirs is 24/28 and ours is 21/32, so they have an edge in both for and against.
So why are we lower in the table than they are? Its all a load of irrelevant squit. Results and league tables don't lie and that is all that matters. I seem to recall that years ago a Professor produced stats to prove that we don't exist - says it all!!
